Printing frame



J. 'r. CAMPBELL PRINTING FRAME Filed Jan. 24, 1941 June 23, 1942.

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arroxlvsy June 23, 1942. J, CAMPBELL 2,287,228

PRINTING FRAME Filed Jan. 24, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 33 INV ENI OR.

- June 23, 19 2. Y J. T. CAMPBELL 2,281,228

PRINTING FRAME Filed Jan. 24, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 23, 19.42. J. "r. CAMPBELL 2,237,228

PRINTING FRAME Filed Jan. 24, 1941 4 Sheetg-Sheet 4 LBY INVENTOR.

Patented June 23, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 19 Claims.

This invention relates to vacuum printing frames of the type employed for photographically printing upon a sensitized plate from a suitable negative disposed in close contact thereto, utilizing an exterior light source for the printing operation.

Heretofore devices of this type have required the use of clamping means for maintaining the frames in proper air sealed juxtaposition for re taining the negative in close contact with the sensitized plate.

It is the purpose of this invention to provide a novel printing frame wherein clamping means are eliminated.

Heretofore in frames of this type, suitable means have been employed for raising and lowering only one of the frames, 1. e. only the glass frame,

It is the purpose of this invention to provide means whereby either the glass or the blanket frame may be raised and lowered.

Heretofore in printing devices of this type, the frames are rotatable through arcs of 180 degrees with the relative position of said frames unchanged.

It is the further purpose of this invention to provide operative means whereby both frames may be rotated through arcs of 360 degrees.

It is the further object of the'invention to provide means whereby either frame may be separately elevated with the counterbalance of one changeable to the other.

It is the further object of the invention to provide a base member for the printing frames and supports which perform the further function of acting as a vacuum supply tank.

It is the still further object of this invention to provide an illuminating means upon the base member which may be utilized for layout work, etc... with a glass frame down used as a table.

It is the still further object herein to provide a means for locking the frames separately in a horizontal position or together in either horizontal or vertical positions.

Other objects are attained by the various constructions and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in detail and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of the printing frame.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary elevational section of the pulley and counterbalance.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan section of the same.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the frame in printing position,

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the frame lifting guide.

Figure 6 is a front elevational view of the same.

Figure 7 is a partially sectioned plan view of the lifting guide and frame standard.

Figure 8 is a sectional elevational assembly of the rotor and frame lifting mechanisms.

Figure 9 is a side elevational view of a frame guide.

Figure 10 is a plan view of the same.

Figure 11 is an elevational view of the frame rotor mechanism; and,

Figure 12 is a section on line I2I2 of Figure 11.

The above illustrations are to be treated merely as preferable embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings, the printing frame as shown in Figure 1 consists of a hollow base member ll, forming a vacuum tank and being longitudinally recessed at l2 for the provision of illuminating means l3, preferably a diffused fluorescent lamp.

End shields 14 disposed at opposite ends of member I! provide a base for the two upright frame supports 15 and [6, which are fixed on their ends by the bolts IT.

A rotatable spindle l8 journaled upon the top of said uprights has rigidly provisioned upon its ends sprocket [8 for operative engagement with sprocket chains [9 and 20. Chain I9 is engaged at its lower extremity by a sprocket 2!, the latter being fixed upon a rotatable spindle 22, and manually rotatable by means of handle 23, said assembly being supported by a bracket 24 with suitable bearings 24' interposed Blanket frame member 25 with guide members 26 centrally secured upon its ends is supported between upright members l5 and I6 and is adapted to be raised and lowered with respect thereto.

A blanket member 21 consisting preferably of a flexible rubber matting to provide a yielding cushioned seat is secured upon the frame 25, with a raised circumferential rubber beading or moulding 28 disposed thereon, adapted for cooperative air sealing engagement with the glass secured within the movable frame 30.

It will be noted that said frame 30 has guide members 26' centrally secured upon its ends and is adapted for reciprocable movement between supporting members I5 and I6 and with respect to the blanket frame 25.

For printing, a suitable sensitized plate is placed upon the blanket 21 with the negative sought to be reproduced placed. on top thereof. It is well known in the art that to obtain the best results the negative must be brought into close contact with the plate. This is accomplished by lowering the glass frame 30 until the glass 28 rests upon the moulding 28 of the blanket frame 25 to form an air tight seal.

Connection is then made between the vacuum tank II and the upper side of blanket 21 by suitable conduits whereby vacuum between frames 25 and 30 causes the flexible blanket or that 21 to rise toward the glass frame with the result, that a perfect contact is made between the negative and the sensitized plate.

So positioned, the frames are usually manually revolved 90 degrees and subjected to a suitable light source to complete the printing operation.

The present invention includes a mechanism later to be described whereby either frame may be raised and lowered.

Frame lifting members 3| are provided with a stud 32 adapted to engage the lower surface of the frame guides 26 or 25 at the points 33 as illustrated in Figure 8.

The upper portion of said guide has integral therewith a U shaped collar 34 adapted to be loosely and slidably journaled upon the outside of the supports I5 and I6, as shown in Figs. 5, 6, '7, and 8.

It will be seen that said collar members are joined to the chains I9 and 25 at points 35 by means of suitable bolts 36.

Consequently, by actuating handle 23 the lifting guides 26 or 23' may be raised or lowered evenly by virtue of the balancing chain 25 which operates with chain I3 by means of the spindle and sprockets I8.

Frame lifting members 3! are joined at their upper ends to a sprocket chain 3"! by studs 33 joined thereto and threaded into the top of said lifting means at points 39 as in Figure 8.

As shown in Figure 2, said chains 31 are supported upon rotatable sprockets 4!] journaled within the upright supporting members I5 and I6, with the other end of said chains secured to frame counterweights M by means of the intermediate studs 42 threaded thereto. Consequently, the manual lifting of either frame 25 or is substantially facilitated.

Lifting members 3I adapted for reciprocable longitudinal movement along supports I5 and I5 are further slidably journaled Within the slotted guide members 43, the latter being suitably secured to the inside surfaces of said uprights I5 and I5, providing a smooth continuous reciprocable movement of either frame 25 or 3!] engaged by the lifting guides iii.

In order to fully attain the objects hereinbefore set out the invention includes a novel rotor mechanism, identified generally as A and set out in detail in Figures 11 and 12.

Circular housings 44 preferably of cast iron with an annular flange 45 are centrally disposed and secured upon uprights I5and I5 on the inside thereof. A slot 46 is disposed therein in alignment with the slotted guide members 43 as shown in Figure 8, for slidably receiving and journaling the frame lifting members 3I.

Semi-circular discs 41 and 43 are disposed within the recessed housing 44, adapted for rotation when frames 25 and 30 are in contact in the manner hereinafter set out.v Milled key the edges 5| either separately for locking either the glass frame 30 or the blanket frame 25 in horizontal position, or together for locking both frames in horizontal position or in vertical position when making the print.

A bracket member or hinge 52 is disposed integral with the rotor housing 44 for rotatably journaling the handle extension arm 53, which is actuated by the handle 54.

Locating fingers 55 are rigidly secured to arm 53 for cooperatively registering with spaced recesses 56 in the rotatable discs 41 and 48.

A washer 5! extends over the finger receiving slot of bracket 52, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, and is secured thereto by bolt 58, to provide a stop limiting the'outward radial movement of fingers 55.

With the fingers 55 turned into slots 56, discs 41 and 48 are retained in either the position shown in Figure 11 or as rotated 90 degrees from that postion where they may also be locked in a similar manner.

At all times, at least one frame guide such as 26 is disposed with its flanged portion 5| supported upon the key ways 49 and 50, so that the spaced relation between said discs is maintained.

Referring to Figure 8 both frames 25 and 30 are together, with their corresponding guides 26 and 26 disposed Within the rotor housing 44 and in between the rotatable discs 41 and 48. In this position it is seen that by virtue of the recess 46 in housing 44 that the frame lifting member 3| is beneath the rotatable discs 41 and 48 and consequently does not interfere with the rotation thereof.

Figure 4 illustrates the frames 25 and 30 together and rotated 90 degrees int-o printing position. Preceding this operation it was necessary to temporarily release the locating fingers 55 which are again locked when the frames are in the position shown in Figure 4. With these fingers in locked position it is impossible for the frames to further rotate.

By turning the frames an additional 90 degrees from the position shown in Figure 4, it will be seen that the blanket frame 25 will be in the upper position previously occupied by the glass frame 30. In this position the blanket frame 25 may be elevated between the supports I5 and I6, by rotating the handle 23. This, in turn, actuates the chains I9 and 25, which in turn elevate the frame lifting members 3|.

By means of the rotor mechanism A it is seen that either frame when elevated is counterbalanced by the weight M, which is joined to the frame lifting members 3|. Consequently, very little effort is required to raise and lower the frames 25 or 30.

With the glass frame 30 turned down and locked in horizontal position the same may be employed for opaquing, spotting, or layout, etc.,

ably journaling frame guides 26 and ZBalQng using the fluorescent light I3 for illumination.

A suitable vacuum pump, not shown in the drawings, evacuates the air from the vacuum chamber II, an automatic cut out switch being provided for stopping the pump when a predetermined vacuum is reached.

Flexible conduits 59 connect the vacuum reservoir I I with the blanket frame 25 with suitable openings 60 provisioned therein so that when the frames are together the space therebetween may be evacuated.

It will be noted that a vacuum gage BI is secured to the upright I5 and is joined to the vacuum line so that the extent of vacuum is readily seen.

A three-way valve 62 automatically effects a quick release of the vacuum by admitting air to the blanket frame when turned off and at the same time closing the line to the reservoir so as to prevent vacuum dissipation when not in use.

The metal frames 25 and together with the elastic moulding 28 provide an air tight seal therebetween without the use of cumbersome clamps, as has been the case heretofore. When the glass 29 comes in contact with said moulding or beading 28 on the rubber blanket 2'! a seal is effected over the entire surface. Therefore all that is necessary is to lower the upper frame to a set stop and turn on the vacuum, which almost instantly provides a vacuum to the frame 25.

Through the axis or rotor assembly A heretofore described in detail, the frames are permitted to make a close air sealing contact, eliminating the need for cubersome clamps. This eliminates the trouble heretofore experienced from worn out clamps, and also the time heretofore consumed in adjusting the same.

Suitable electrical connections are provided terminating in the dual switch 63 for turning on the pump and for operating the fluorescent light 13.

When the frame is opened as shown in Figure 1, it is in a very convenient position for loading. With the glass frame 30 elevated out of the Way and both the front and rear free and open, working on either side without encumberances of any kind is permitted.

The particular advantage of the revolving vacuum printer is the ease with which either the glass or blanket frame can be set in a down and horizontal position and at a convenient height for the worker.

In the production of photolithographic albumen and deep etch plates, as well as in photoengraving, it may bepreferable to have the blanket frame down (glass frame elevated) when positioning negatives or positives on the sensi-- tized metal surfaces. Elevation of the glass and absence of obstructional clamps permit easy and convenient working from either side of the frame, thus rendering accurate positioning of images required in set-ins, double printing and color work-a matter of ease and comfort. For exposing collotype images on sensitized glass or metal, the same conditions will apply.

In operations such as preparing and lining up layouts, inserting negatives or positives into My outs and checking the final assembly of it is practical to have the glass frame down, that the operations may be carried out on the glass and the work illuminated by transmitted light from the fluorescent tube.

This arrangement is particularly convenient when making Van Dyke (silver or brown) prints, also when exposing blue print and photolac (dyed colloid) images on glass plates, and for registering film negatives and positives on such images.

The glass down arrangement is further very convenient when exposing gravure carbon tissue. The positives can be positioned with accuracy and ease on the glass surface, and after attachment of the positive form to the glass (with trans" parent cellulose tape,) the sensitized carbon tissue can be laid in correct position on the positive form. Printing of silk screen images on carbon tissue is an operation in the same category, the sensitized tissue easily being laid on the line or halftone images intended for reproduction by the silk screen process.

In addition to these conveniences, the glass down position of the frame provides a roomy layout table and retouching stand, on which spotting, opaquing, bendaying on blue prints and other operations requiring the work to be illuminated by transmitted light can be carried out with the greatest degree of efficiency and freedom from eye and physical strain on the part of the workman,

Having described my invention, reference should now be had to the claims which follow, for determining the scope thereof.

I claim:

1. In a vacuum printing mechanism, supporting means, a blanket frame and a cooperating air sealing glass frame, guide means secured to said frames and rotatably mounted on said supporting means, and adapted to slidably engage the same, frame lifting means for engaging the guide means of either frame, and operative means joined to said lifting means.

2. In a vacuum printing device, upright supporting means, guide means secured thereto, a blanket frame and a cooperating air sealing glass frame, guide means secured to said frames and rotatably mounted on said supporting means,

frame lifting means for engaging the guide means of the frame which has merely rotated to be above the other, said frame guide means and lifting means cooperatively registering with said up right guide means, and operative means joined to said lifting means.

3. In a vacuum printing device, upright supporting means, guide means secured thereto, a blanket frame and a cooperating air sealing glass frame, guide means secured to said frames and rotatably mounted on said supporting means, frame lifting means for selectively engaging the guide means of either frame, said frame guide means and lifting means cooperatively registering with said upright guide means, operative means joined to said lifting means, said lifting means being provided with a bracket joined. to said operative means.

4. In a vacuum printing mechanism, supporting means, a blanket frame and a cooperating air sealing glass frame, guide means secured to said frames and rotatably mounted on said supporting means, frame lifting means for engaging the guide means of either frame, and counterbalancing means joined to said frame lifting means.

5. In a vacuum printing mechanism, supporting means, a blanket frame and a cooperating air sealing glass frame, guide means secured to said frames and rotatably mounted on said supporting means, frame lifting means for engaging the guide means of either frame, operative means joined to said lifting means, and counterbalancing means disposed within said supporting means and joined to said frame lifting means.

6. In a vacuum printing device, vertical supporting members, a blanket frame, a cooperating air sealing glass frame, guide means secured to said frames and rotatabl mounted on said sup porting means, and adapted to slidably engage the same, frame liftin means for engaging the guide means of either frame, and means for se lectively locking said frames in horizontal and vertical positions.

7. In a vacuum printing mechanism, supporting means, a blanket frame and a cooperating air sealing glass frame, guide means secured to said frames and rotatably mounted on said supporting means, frame lifting means for engaging the guide means of either frame, operative means joined to said lifting means, counterbalancing means joined to said frame lifting means, and means for selectively locking said frames singly and together in horizontal and vertical positions,

8. In a vacuum printing mechanism, supporting members, a blanket frame and a cooperating air sealing glass frame, guid means on said frames, frame lifting means for selectively engaging the guide means of either frame, recessed housings secured to said supporting members, and means rotatably disposed Within said housings, adapted to rotatably support said frame guides.

9. In a vacuum printing mechanism, supporting members, a blanket frame and a cooperating air sealing glass frame, guide means on said frames, frame lifting means for selectively engaging the guide means of either frame, circularly recessed housings secured to said supporting members, semi-circular discs in spaced relation rotatably disposed within said housings, adapted to pivotly support said frame guides, the latter being slidably journaled between said discs, whereby on manual rotation of said frames the upper thereof may be raised from said pivotal support, and operative means joined to said lifting means.

10. In a vacuum printing mechanism, supporting members, a blanket frame and a cooperat ing air sealing glass frame, guide means on said frames, frame lifting means for selectively engaging the guide means of either frame, circularly recessed housings secured to said supporting members, semi-circular discs in spaced relation rotatably disposed Within said housings, adapted to pivotly support said frame guides, the latter being slidably journaled between said discs, whereby on manual rotation of said frames either thereof may be raised from said pivotal support, operative means joined to said lifting means, slots being disposed within said housings for slidably journaling said lifting means, and nesting the same so as not to interfere with the rotative movement of said discs.

11. In a vacuum printing mechanism, supporting members, a blanket frame and a cooperating air sealing glass frame, guide means on said frames, frame lifting means for selectively engaging the guide means of either frame, recessed housings secured to said supporting members, means rotatably disposed within said housings adapted to rotatably support said frame guides, and manually actuated means engageable with said rotatable means for selectively locking said frames in horizontal and vertical positions.

12. In a vacuum printing mechanism, a hollow base member forming a vacumn tank, adapted for communication with a vacuum source, vertical supporting members, a blanket frame, a cooperating air sealing glass frame, guide means secured to said frames and rotatively mounted on said supporting means and adapted to slid ably engage the same, frame lifting means for engaging the guide means of either frame, operative means joined to said lifting means, and conduits for providing communication between said vacuum tank and the upper surface of said blanket frame for producing a vacuum between said frames when in closed position.

13. In a vacuum printing device, a base member, vertical supporting members, a blanket frame, a cooperating air sealing glass frame, guide means secured to said frames and rotatably mounted on said supporting means, and adapted to slidably engage the same, frame lifting means for engaging the guide means of either frame, operative means joined to said lifting means, and illuminating means disposed upon said base member.

14. In a vacuum printing mechanism, supporting members, a blanket frame and a cooperating air sealing glass frame, circularly recessed housings secured to said supporting members, means rotatably disposed within said housings, adapted to rotatably support said frames, means for selectively engaging either frame at its rotatable support for lifting the sam into spaced relation to the other frame and operative means joined to said lifting means.

15. In a vacuum printing mechanism, supporting members, a blanket frame and a cooperating air sealing glass frame, frame lifting means for selectively engaging either frame, circularly recessed housings secured to said supporting members, and semi-circular discs in spaced relation rotatably disposed within said housings, adapted to pivotly support said frames, the latter being slidably journaled between said discs, whereby on manual rotation of said frames the upper thereof may be raised from said pivotal support.

16. In a vacuum printing mechanism, supporting members, a blanket frame and a cooperating air sealing glass frame, frame lifting means for selectively engaging either frame, recessed housings secured to said supporting members, discs in spaced relation rotatably disposed within said housings, adapted to pivotly support said frames, the latter being slidably journaled between said discs, whereby on manual rotation of said frames either thereof may be raised from said pivotal support, slots being disposed within said housings for slidably journaling said lifting means, and nesting the same so as not to interfere with the rotative movement of said discs.

17. In a vacuum printing mechanism, supporting members, a blanket frame and a cooperating air sealing glass frame, frame lifting means for selectively engaging either frame, circularly recessed housings secured to said supporting members, means rotatably disposed within said housings adapted to rotatably support said frames, operative means joined to said lifting means, and manually actuated means engageable with said rotatable means for selectively locking said frames in horizontal and vertical positions.

18. In a vacuum printing mechanism, supporting means, a blanket frame and a cooperating air sealing glass frame, guide means secured to said frames and rotatably mounted on said supporting means, and adapted to slidably engage the same, and frame lifting means for engaging the guide means of either frame.

19. In a vacuum printing mechanism, supporting means, a blanket frame and a cooperating air sealing glass frame, guide means secured to said frames and rotatably mounted on said supporting means, frame lifting means for engaging the guide means of either frame, and counterbalancing means joined to said frame lifting means.

JAMES T. CAMPBELL. 

